Suggs Delivers in Clutch, Gophers Take Down Eagles

Two-Point Victory Propels Goucher Into Tie for Fourth Place

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — One might have thought that Goucher's Tim Alexander (Hagerstown, Md./Williamsport) pounded the final nail in Juniata's coffin when he made a basket with 3:42 remaining that put the Gophers up 59-52 in tonight's Landmark Conference game against the Eagles.

One would have been wrong.

The Eagles, in fact, weren't done. They lopped two points off their deficit when Alex Raymond made two free throws with 3:10 left to play and inched even closer when Jeff Berkey sank two foul shots :26 later. Then, following a Goucher turnover, they caught the Gophers at 59-59 on a three-point basket by Berkey with 2:22 showing on the clock.

Juniata even extended its scoring streak to nine consecutive points and took a 61-59 lead with 1:54 remaining on two free throws by Matt Regan.

On Goucher's next two possessions, however, the Gophers were able to get the ball into Reggie Suggs (Baltimore, Md./Walbrook) in the low post and both times he made moves that led to left-handed layups, the first one creating a 61-61 tie and the second one putting his team up 63-61 with :55 left to play. The lead grew to four points when Pat Bailey (Rockville, Md./Magruder) knocked down two foul shots with :29 remaining.

Alexander was back at the charity stripe with :04 showing on the clock and Goucher's advantage down to three points. After missing his first try, the junior guard converted the second, making it a two-possession game. There was still enough time for Ryan Jones to score two points for Juniata, which left the Eagles two points short and the Gophers celebrating a 66-64 victory.

(more to come)